Electrical control system



Jan. 6, 1959 Filed July 6, 1956 K. H. PIERSON ET AL ELECTRICAL -CONTROL. SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 6, 1959 K. H. PlERsoN ETAL ELECTRICAL coNTEoL SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 6, 1956 I I l l l l l I l l l l IMIB S D v 0 W 11%; .s e .x m W E pr E o m m n. 2 l l I l l I l l l l I l I l I I. l mllle l- ||||l||l|||||| @mr W ,u M AE P n.. n ,TIIE i I 0.@ s n n 7 I l l l l 1 l l l l l l l I Il m im; cill||||||| ,w w P I /.mlllmzm p w w m 1 s l l f ||ls l 2 e m llmm nite States ELECTRICAL CONTROL SYSTEM Application July 6, 1956, Serial No. 596,295

Claims. (Cl. 18T-29) This invention is concerned with an elevator control ysystem and more particularly with an improved control system for automatic, operatorless elevators.

It sometimes happens that a prospective passenger approaches an elevator car as the doors are closing and the car departs before the prospective passenger is able to enter or arrest the departure of the car as by pressing the hall button. Even if the car is equipped with safety devices such as a photocell associated with the car doors or sensitive edge surfaces on the doors, the prospective passenger may not be aware of this or may be afraid to make use of them, as this would require thrusting an arm or leg between the closing doors. In addition, if the sensitive edge control be inoperative, and the prospective passenger fails to interrupt the light beam, he might be injured.

It is a principal object of this invention to provide an elevator system in which the presence of a prospective passenger adjacent the elevator car entrance acts to delay the departure of the car, enabling the prospective passenger to enter.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of means adjacent the shaft of an elevator and sensitive to the presence of a prospective passenger, and means responsive to the sensing means for alecting the operation of the car. Another feature is the provision of means delaying the departure of the car to permit the prospective passenger to enter. A further feature is that timing means are provided for causing the car to depart even though the prospective passenger does not enter, but remains in the sensitive area.

Afurther feature is the provision of a control system including safety means for detecting the presence of a passenger in the doorway of the car, a disabling circuit energized by the safety means for preventing departure of the car during the presence of a passenger in the doorway, means on one of the floors served by the elevator, adjacent the shaft thereof and sensitive to the presence of a prospective passenger, and a circuit connected between the sensing means and the disabling circuit to actuate the disabling circuit and prevent departure of the car in the presence of a prospective passenger.

Further features and advantages will readily be apparent from the following specication and from the drawings, in which:

Figure l is a. fragmentary diagrammatic view in perspective illustrating a portion of an elevator installation embodying the invention; and

Figure 2, comprising portions 2A and 2B, is a simplied control circuit diagram.

Automatic elevator systems and particularly those designed for operatorless operation, usually incorporate in the elevator car certain safety devices and systems` which prevent the departure of the car from a floor in the event a passenger is standing in the doorway, or too close thereto for safety. These devices may, for example include a photocell and light beam arrangement mounted immediately inside the car door in such a man- 2,867,2@i Patented Jan. 6, i959 ner that a light beam is projected across the car opening. if the doors are closing and the light beam is broken, the doors are caused to reopen and remain open for a short period of time to permit the passenger who has interrupted the light beam to leave or enter, as desired. In some cases, however, the hand or foot of a passenger may be in the doorway above or below the light beam and fail to actuate the photocell circuit. Accordingly, the edges of the doors are provided with pressure sensitive surfaces which, when they strike something such as a passengers arm, actuate a circuit to cause the doors to reopen and permit the passenger to clear the doorway. As pointed out above, the prospective passenger may be afraid to actuate one of these devices to arrest the departure of the car or may become paniclcy and injure himself. If he waits for the next car, it may require several minutes.

Turning now to Figure l of the drawings, an elevator car lil is shown suspended from a cable 11 for vertical movement in a shaft including guideways l2, the car being positioned at one of the floors 13 of a multi-licor building. The representationy of the elevator in this drawing is intended to be illustrative only and none of the usual physical details of such an installation are shown. The doors 14 of the car are preferably provided with a sensitive edge safety device 15 as discussed above, and a photocell-light beam safety device indicated generally as 16 is located inside the doors. Suitable ,up and down call buttons 17 and 18 are provided adjacent the elevator opening 19.

In accordance with the illustrated embodiment of the invention, sensing means, as a pressure sensitive mat Ztl is located on floor 13 immediately in front of the elevator opening 19. As will appear from consideration of the control circuit, the presence of a prospective passenger on sensitive mat 20 actuates the elevator control circuit to delay departure of the car and permit the prospective passenger to enter. The pressure sensitive mat 20 preferably extends the entire Width of the opening 19 and is of substantial width to enable the prospective passenger to stand on it without being too close to the door, yet is not wide enough to be in the path of normal traic ow along the floor 13. In one installation, a mat 36 inches in length and 12 inches wide was found to be satisfactory. Similar devices sensitive to the approach of a prospective passenger may be provided at any or all of the oors in the building, depending on the needs of the particular installation.

Turning now to Figure 2, the portion of the elevator control circuit relating to the present invention will be decribed. The circuit of Figure 2A is an across the line diagram and the relationship of the various relays and their contacts is illustrated in the key, Figure 2B, wherein each relay is shown in its deenergized condition. The circuit is energized by connecting leads 2S, 26 to a suitable source of power as il() volts A. C.

A step down transformer 27 is connected across the line and has a secondary winding 27a to which is connected relay SMCR and series of contacts 20a, 2012, 20c, 20d, 20e and Zilf associated with the pressure sensitive mats 20 on the various floors. Selector switch means indicated generally as 28 include switch members 28a, 28b, 25C, 28d, 28e and 281, each connected in series with a corresponding mat switch. The switch means 23 are responsive to the position of the elevator so that only the appropriate switch contact is closed, corresponding to theposition of the elevator car. Thus, if a prospective passenger approaches the elevator shaft and steps on the sensitive mat, while the car is stopped at that floor, a circuit is completed, energizing relay SMCR.

ln order to understand fully the effect of the energization of relay SMCR it is desirable to consider iirst some of the other elements of the car control system. lt will be appreciated, of course, that the circuits shown herein are greatly simplied and include only those relays and contacts which are essential to the operation being described. When the elevator car is running through the shaft, shunt brake relay SBR is energized through switch 29 associated with the brake Contactor (not shown). Contact SBR-1 is open, preventing energization of door open relay DOR when the car is moving. Contact SBR-2, in the circuit of stop timer TS and contact SBR-,3, in the circuit of stop timer relay TSR, are also open when the relay is energized. As the car approaches a oor at which a stop is to be made, assuming that the car is traveling in an upward direction, leveling relay LRU is energized upon actuation of magnetic leveling unit.

UMLU about eighteen inches below the lloor. This in turn opens contact LRU in the circuit of TSR, and since contact SBR-3 is open insures deenergization of the relay. If the car is traveling down, magnetic leveling unit DM'LU is actuated eighteen inches above the iloor energizing relay LRD and opening its associated'contact which is connected in series with contact LRU. When the car is about six inches from the floor, leveling unit MLU is actuated energizing relay LR, closing its associated contact LR in the circuit of door open relay DOR. Relay LRU, or LRD, depending on the direction of car movement, in released when the car is about level and comes to a stop.

As relay LR is energized the circuit is completed through contact TSR-1, which is closed when relay TSR is not energized, and contact LR, energizing door open relay DOR. This relay in turn actuates the automatic power door opening mechanism (not shown).

When relay DOR is energized, contact DOR-2 closes completing` an energization circuit for relay SER through open-limit switch OL. Relay SER in turn closes contact SER-1 initiating operation of stop Vtimer TS. Contact SER-2 closes completing a holding circuit for relay SER and contact SER-3 opens insuring the deenergization of relay TSR. Relay SER remains energized until the doorsreach their maximum open position at which point switch OL opens breaking the energization circuit.

Stopping relay UDSR is energized through switch 30 when Vthe car prepares to answer a call and opens contact UDSR in the TSR relay circuit further insuring that this relay will be deenergized when the car stops. As the car stops, switch 30 opens breaking the UDSR energization circuit.

When timer TS is energized, it starts a timing cycle to establish the interval of time before the doors begin to close. As timer TS starts operation it opens contact TS in the circuit of TSR relay and after it has run its cycle, contact TS closes completing an energization circuit tor the TSR relay through contact UDSR, which closes after the car cornes to a stop, and contacts SER-3. When TSR relay is energized contact TSR-1 in the circuit of DOR relay opens deenergizing the relay and causing the doors to begin to close. TSR relay also includes contact TSR-3 which completes a holding circuit for the relay until one of the other contacts in the circuit opens, as when the elevator begins to slow down for a stop and UDSR opens, or when the car levels at a floor and LRU or LRD and SBR open, or when the doors have started to open for any reason, SER-3 opens.

Relay CLR is connected across the line through switch CL which is closed whenever the car doors are open. Contact CLR in the circuit of relay DOR, in parallel with TSR-2, and is open when the relay is not energized. Contacts CLR and TSR-2 prevent the doors from opening if TSR and SBR are deenergized at an abnormal position in the hatchway.

Turning now to the safety circuits, the sensitive edge contact for the doors includes a switch SEC connected in the circuit of relay DOR and in parallel with Contact TSR-1. Thus if switch SEC is closed, as by someone or something in contact with the edge of the door, the circuit of DOR relay is energized and the door is caused to reopen repeating the above described cycle. A door open push button PB is provided in the elevator car for reopening the doors as desired. The photocell safety device 16 actuates a switch 16a when the light beam is broken completing the energization circuit for relay PC. Contact PC-1 is connected in parallel with contacts TSR-, SEC and push button PB and similarly energizes relay DOR. Contact PC-Z is connected in the circuit of timer TS and initiates the timing cycle immediately, the remainder of the cycle proceeding as previously described.

Returning now to the pressure sensitive mat control, energization of relay SMCR closes contacts SMCR-1 and SMCR-2. Contact SMCR-1 completes a circuit through contact KA, which will be described later, energizing mat timer TSMR. Contact SMCR-2 completes a circuit through contacts SMCR-1 and TSMR energizing relay PC which is also associated with the photocell circuit. This in turn causes contacts PC-l and PC-2 to close energizing door open relay DOR and timer TS. ln the event the prospective passenger standing on the mat 2t) fails to enter the car or leave the mat, timer TSMR will run its cycle and open contact TSMR associated therewith breaking the energization circuit for relay PC and permitting the doors to close. This prevents an interruption of the elevator service should someone or something stand on the mat for a period of time. Contact SMCR-2 prevents the energization of TSMR timer when relay PC is energized through photocell switch 16a.

Contact KA is associated with gate relay KA which is energized through switch 31 at all times when the doors are fully closed or nearly so, and is open when the relay is energized. Accordingly the mat relay SMCR is effective to arrest departure of the car only if the doors are fully or partially open when the relay is energized, If the doors are completely closed before the prospective passenger reaches the mat 20, his presence is ineifective.

The foregoing detailed description is given for clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom, assome modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

We claim:

l. In a Acontrol system for an elevator car running in a shaft and serving a plurality of oors, apparatus of the character described, comprising: control means for controlling the operation o f the elevator car in a predetermined sequence of operations; sensitive means on at least one of said floors, adjacent tothe shaft of said elevator, said means being adapted to undergo an automatic change of condition in the presence of a prospective passenger on said oor adjacent said shaft; and means responsive to a change in the condition of said sensitive means and operatively associated with said coutrol means for modifying said predetermined sequence of operations in an established manner in the presence of a prospective passenger.

2. In a control system for an elevator car running in a shaft and serving a plurality of oors, apparatus of the character described, comprising: sensitive means on at least one of said floors, adjacent the shaft of said elevator, said means being adapted to undergo an automatic change of condition in the presence of a prospective passenger on said iloor adjacent said shaft; and means responsive to a change in the condition of said sensitive means for delaying the departure of said car to permit said prospective passenger to enter.

3. In a control system for an elevator car running in a shaft and serving a plurality of floors, apparatus of the character described, comprising: means on at least one of said oors, adjacent the shaft of said elevator and sensitive to the presence of a prospective passenger; means responsive to said sensitive means for delaying the departure of said car to permit said'prospectiv'e pas-y senger to enter; and timing means for causing said car to depart after a predetermined time independent of said sensitive means and said delaying means.

4. In a control system for an elevator car running in a shaft and serving a plurality of oors, apparatus of the character described, comprising: a pressure sensitive mat on at least one of said floors, adjacent the shaft of said elevator and sensitive to the presence of a prospective passenger thereon; means responsive to said pressure sensitive mat for affecting the `operation of said elevator car in the presence of a prospective passenger; and time delay means initiated by the presence of a`prospective passenger on said pressure sensitive mat lfor causing departure of said elevator car after a predetermined time notwithstanding the presence of a prospective passenger on the pressure sensitive mat.

5. In a control system for an elevator car running in a shaft and serving a plurality of oors; safety means for detecting the presence of a passenger in the doorway of said car; a disabling circuit energized by said safety means for preventing departure of said car during the presence of a passenger in the doorway; means on at least one of said oors, adjacent the shaft of said elevator and sensitive to the presence of a prospective passenger; and a circuit connected between said last mentioned means and said disabling circuit to actuate said disabling circuit and prevent departure of said car in the presence of a prospective passenger.

6. In a control system for an elevator car running in a shaft and serving a plurality of floors; safety means for detecting the presence of a passenger in the doorway of said car; a disabling -circuit energized by said first means for preventing departure of said car during the presence of a passenger in the doorway; means on at least one of said iioors, adjacent the shaft of said elevator and sensitive to the presence of a prospective passenger for providing a signal; a circuit connected between said last mentioned means and said disabling circuit whereby said signal actuates said disabling circuit to prevent departure of said car in the presence of a prospective passenger; and time delay means actuated by said sensing means for interrupting said connecting circuit a predetermined time after actuation thereof by said prospective passenger sensing means.

7. In a control system for an elevator car running in a shaft and serving a plurality of floors; photocell means for detecting the presence of a passenger in the doorway of said car; a disabling circuit responsive to said photocell means for preventing departure of said car during the presence of a passenger in said doorway; a pressure sensitive mat on at least one of said oors adjacent the shaft of said elevator and sensitive to the presence of a prospective passenger; and a circuit connected between said sensitive mat and said disabling circuit for actuating the disabling circuit in the presence of a prospective passenger on said pressure sensitive mat.

8. In a control system for an elevator car running in a shaft and serving a plurality of floors: means, including a switch, sensitive to the presence of a prospective passenger on one of said floors adjacent the shaft of the elevator; a relay having an energization circuit including said switch, for actuating the relay in the presence of a prospective passenger; safety means including means for detecting the presence of a passenger in the doorway of said car and a second relay actuated by such presence to prevent the departure of the car; and a circuit including contacts associated with said first relay for actuating said second relay when said lirst mentioned switch is actuated by a prospective passenger.

9. In a control system for an elevator car running in a shaft and serving a plurality of oors: means, including a switch, sensitive to the presence of a prospective passenger on one of said floors adjacent the shaft of the elevator; a relay having an energization circuit including vsaid switch, for actuating the relay in the presence of a prospective passenger; means 'for delaying' the de'lparturl of said car and having an energization circuit including a contact associated with said relay; timing means having an energization circuit including a contact associated with said relay, said timing means including a contact in the energization circuit of said delaying means for permitting departure of said car a predetermined period of time after energization of said relay and timing means.

l0. 1n a control system for an elevator car running in a shaft and serving a plurality of floors: means, `including a switch, sensitive to the presence of a prospective passenger on one of said floors adjacent the shaft of the elevator; a relay having an energization circuit including said switch, for actuating the relay inthe presence of a prospective passenger; means for detecting the presence of a passenger in the doorway of said car; means responsive to said detecting means for delaying the departure of said car; an auxiliary energization circuit for said delaying means including a first contact associated with said relay; timing means having an energization circuit including said contact, said timing means including a contact in the energization circuit of said delaying means for permitting departure of said car a predetermined period of time after the energization of said relay and said timing means; and a second contact associated with said relay and interposed in the energization circuit of said delaying means, between the delaying means and timing means for preventing energization of the timing means on energization of said detecting means.

1l. In a control system for an elevator car running in a shaft and serving a plurality of floors: means, including a switch, sensitive to the presence of a prospective passenger on one of said floors adjacent the shaft of the elevator; a relay having an energization circuit including said switch, for actuating the relay in the presence of a prospective passenger; a circuit responsive to said relay for preventing the departure of the car; and a contact in one of said circuits and responsive to the position of the doors of said car for opening said circuit when said doors are substantially closed.

l2. In a control system for an elevator car running in a shaft and serving a plurality of floors: a plurality of switch means sensitive to the presence of a prospective passenger on said oors adjacent the shaft of the elevator; selector switch means responsive to the position of said elevator for connecting with the one of said switch means corresponding with the position of the elevator;

a relay having an energization circuit including said switch means and said selector switch means for actuating the relay in the presence of a prospective passenger on the floor at which the elevator car is located; and means responsive to the actuation of said relay for preventing departure of said elevator in the presence of a prospective passenger.

13. In a control system for an elevator car running in a shaft and serving a plurality of floors, apparatus of the character described, comprising: control means for controlling the operation of the elevator car in a predetermined sequence 4of operations; a pressure sensitive mat on at least one of said floors, adjacent the shaft of said elevator and sensitive to the presence of a prospective passenger thereon; and means responsive to pressure on said mat and operatively associated with said control means for modifying said predetermined sequence of operations in an established manner.

14. In a control system for an elevator car running in a shaft and serving a plurality of floors at each of which there is a door for access to said car, apparatus of the character described, comprising: control means for controlling the operation of the elevator car in a predetermined sequence of operations; sensitive means on at least one of said lioors, adjacent to the shaft of said elevator and immediately in front of the door for access to said car, said means being adapted to undergo an automatic change of condition in the presence of a prospective passenger on said floor adjacent said shaft; and means responsive tol a change, in the condition of said sensitive means and operatively associated with said control means formodifying said predetermined sequence of operations in an established manner in the presence of a prospective passenger.

15. In a control system for an elevator car running in a shaft and serving a plurality of oorsat each of which there is a door for access tovsaid car, apparatus of the character described, comprising: sensitive means on at least one of said oors, adjacent the shaft of said ele- 10 vator and immediately in front of the door for access to 8 said car, said means being adapted to undergo an auto matic change oiicondition in the presence of a prospective passenger on said door adjacent said shaft; and means responsive to a change in the condition ofy said sensitive means for delaying the departure of said car to permit said prospective passenger to enter.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,806,553 Eames sept. 17, 1957 

